Senior Pets

Your pet begins entering his or her senior years around the age of seven. While it may not seem that long ago that your faithful companion was a frisky kitten or playful puppy, your senior pet requires a different health and wellness plan than was necessary in his or her younger days. At Madison Park Veterinary Hospital, we understand the medical needs of senior pets—that's why we've developed a comprehensive senior pet wellness program.

Preventive health care is critical for senior pets. Like humans, older pets are at an increased risk of developing diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, endocrine disease, cancer and others. Because not all pets exhibit visible symptoms, these diseases can often go undetected. We recommend pets age seven and older undergo complete wellness exams at least twice a year. Early detection of these diseases results in faster treatment and better overall health for your pet.

During an exam, we will listen to your pet's heart and lungs to detect signs of heart murmurs, abnormal heart beat patterns, infection, tumors and other diseases. Your pet's vision and hearing will also be evaluated, and we will check for any unusual lumps, swelling, skin condition and signs of arthritis and decreased muscle tone in joints and muscles. A full dental exam is also performed, as dental disease is one of the most common—and preventable—conditions in pets.

Along with a comprehensive exam, our skilled technicians will run a battery of blood tests on your pet. These tests include a complete blood count (CBC), which provides detailed information on red and white blood cell counts and platelet counts; urinalysis, which can reveal signs of diabetes, kidney and liver disease; blood glucose tests, which can indicate diabetes, liver disease and the presence of tumors, as well as other tests. These tests are critical for your pet and can aid both in determining your pet's normal laboratory values as well as identifying any abnormal values.

Other diagnostic procedures, such as radiology exams and electrocardiograms (EKG), are useful in screening for heart disease. Additionally, x-rays and ultrasounds can be used to identify tumors in the lungs and other organs. These procedures are safe and uncomplicated and generally do not cause your pet undue stress.

Most of all, we encourage you to take an active role in the care of your senior pet. A decline in energy, a decrease in vision and hearing, weight gain, dental disease and skin conditions are all signs of old age—as these signs begin to appear, inform your veterinarian and keep track of any changes in your pet's behavior or overall health. The veterinarians and staff at Madison Park Veterinary Hospital understand the close bond you have developed with your pet over the years—it is our goal to make sure you and your companion enjoy many more years together.